Category Archives: Minors

Keeping an Eye on… Predictions

Prior to the season I did a series of posts on items or storylines that I thought could be key to the Tigers success. Here at the break, I thought I’d Keep and Eye on my Keeping an Eye on series

Chuck Hernandez and the Pitching Staff

With the best ERA in baseball, I think it is safe to say that Hernandez has worked out okay as a pitching coach.

One of the stats I wanted to observe were K rates and pitches per plate appearance, as Bob Cluck was an advocate of pitching to contact to conserve pitches. Well, in the case of Jeremy Bonderman his strikeouts are at a career high 8.35) and his pitches per plate appearance are at a career low (3.52). Nate Robertson’s numbers are in line with his career, as are Mike Maroth’s. Interestingly, Verlander is allowing 3.77 pitches per plate appearance, which is more than Robertson or Bonderman, but striking out fewer.

In terms of the minor leagues, we’ve the the organization reward solid pitching performances with the early promotions of Jair Jurrjens, Jon Connolly and Humberto Sanchez. We also saw Jordan Tata jump a couple levels. The system has seemed to be slow to promote in the past (see Jordan Tata at Lakeland all year).

Finally we haven’t really seen or heard that much of Hernandez. Leyland seems to make more trips to the mound than Hernandez. Hernandez just gets the occasional trip to talk mechanics or scouting reports, but those seem to be few and far between which may be a testament to improved preparation.

Kevin Rand

Ah, the injury watch. The Tigers have been hit by injuries, but the training staff has done a good job keeping players on the field. The Tigers lost Mike Maroth for probably 2-3 months, and of course Craig Dingman and Troy Percival were lost before the season. Dmitri Young strained his hamstring, not to mention alot of other stuff that was beyond the realm of physical rehab. And Craig Monroe was sidelined for a couple weeks with an ankle sprain.

Yet the nagging injuries have been kept in check. Carlos Guillen had some knee pain, but didn’t miss significant time. Ordonez had a bruise that only slowed him for a couple games. Placido Polanco had a back injury that limited his performance but he was able to work through with out missing time. Marcus Thames had knee tendonitis but it didn’t slow him down.

The training staff and some well timed rest have kept the key cogs in the lineup. Now everybody find some wood to knock on it until your knuckles are bloody.

Productive At Bats

Jim Leyland called for more productive at-bats and better situational hitting. I’m not really sure the Tigers have improved in this area. In terms of strikeouts – which are for all intents and purposes are completely unproductive – the Tigers still whiff a ton. In terms of plate discipline, their ratio of 2.7 K/BB is the same as it was last year.

The biggest change in offense has been an increase in power. Their ISO went from 157 last year to 184 this year. They are also a little bit better at not making outs with the OBP going from 321 to 330.

But in terms of productive outs and manufacturing runs…it doesn’t feel any different, but I can’t quantify it one way or the other.

The Erie Seawolves

My thinking here was simple, a bunch of players who could help the team in the future (or in trade packages in the present) would be at Erie. The results have been mixed. Erie’s offense has been largely non-existent as Brent Clevlen (103 K’s, 319 SLG) and Kody Kirkland (109K’s) have struggled to make contact. Kirkland has decent power numbers (17 homers), but that is it. Tony Giarratano has been up and down and may now have a torn ACL. Jeff Frazier started off well, but has faded badly (231/272/339). This group has recently been joined with fellow 40 man roster-ees Don Kelly and Nook Logan who were struggling mightily in Toledo.

The pitchers have had more success. Jordan Tata who was slated to head to Erie instead went all the way to the pro’s and now finds himself succeeding at AAA Toledo. Humberto Sanchez (1.76 ERA, 86 K’s, 71 2/3 IP) did so well he earned a promotion and a start in the Future’s Game. Eulogio De La Cruz (3.75 ERA, 46 K, 57 2/3 IP, 1 HR) started the season getting shelled, but has calmed down considerably. And Jair Jurrjens who started in A ball has earned a spot in the Erie rotation and is having considerable success for a 20 year old in AA (3-1, 2.00 ERA).

Tigers Minor League Wrap – July 10th

Toledo – All Star Break

Altoona 7, Erie 1
Erie only mustered 3 hits last night. Jair Jurrjens allowed 4 hits and 3 unearned runs in 5 innings of work. He walked 2 and fanned 3.

Lakeland – PPD

Cedar Rapids 6, West Michigan 5
Michael Hollimon had a 2 for 3 night and Pedro Cotto was 2 for 4. Sendy Vasquez only lasted 4 innings and he gave up 3 runs, 2 earned, on 6 hits and 3 walks. Loren Fraser allowed a walk and solo homer in 3 innings of relief as he fanned 5.

Jamestown 6, Oneonta 1
Again, not much offense to report here. Brennan Boesch had a double in 4 at-bats. Chris Krawczyk fanned 4 of the 7 hitters he faced in 2 innings of work allowing only a walk. Brett Jensen added another scoreless inning and another strikeout.

GCL Tigers 6, GCL Phillies 5
Luis Arlet was 2 for 4 with a double and Gorkys Hernandez doubled in 4 at-bats. Kyle Sleeth made another short appearance – but with better results. He allowed 4 hits and 2 unearned runs in 2 innings walking none and striking out 1. He was followed by Christian Martinez who went 5 innings allowing 3 runs on 4 hits.

Tigers Minor League Wrap

Indianapolis 6, Toledo 2
David Espinosa was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and 2 stolen bases. Colby Lewis threw 7 strong innings allowing only 2 runs on 6 hits. Bobby Seay wasn’t as strong as he and Jason Karmuth combined to allow 4 runs in 1 inning of work. CJ Nitkowski picked up the win for the Indians.

Altoona 5, Erie 4
Vincent Blue was 2 for 4 with a walk. Don Kelly tripled and walked. Dmitri Young was 0 for 4 with 2 K’s and a walk. Virgil Vasquez fanned 7 and walked none in 6 innings of work limited Altoona to 2 runs on 2 solo homers.

Lakeland 4, Tampa 3
Jeff Frazier and Clete Thomas each had 2 hits and a stolen base while Jeff Larish was 1 for 3 with a walk. Kevin Ardoin allowed 1 run on 7 hits, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts in 6 innings. Kevin Whelan struckout 2 in a scoreless inning of work.

West Michigan 11, Cedar Rapids 8
Matt Joyce went 3 for 4 with 2 doubles and a walk. Yet he was topped by Michael Hollimon’s 4 for 4 day as he hit for the cycle plus walked. Lucas French was hit hard and not helped by his defense. He allowed 6 runs, 3 earned, in 4 innings.

Jamestown 4, Oneonta 3
Ron Bourquin was 2 for 4 and Deik Scram added a singe and a triple. Jeff Gerbe allowed 4 runs, 2 earned, in 5 2/3 innings on one walk, 5 hits, and 3 strikeouts.

The Futures Game

The Tigers top 2 prospects will be on display amongst other minor league stars today. Humberto Sanchez will be the starting pitcher for the World team while Cameron Maybin looks to contribute to the US team.

Unfortunately the game begins at the same time as today’s Tiger tilt and it will air on ESPN2. Unfortunatel-ier I won’t be around to watch either and my DVR has only one tuner. I’ll be recording the first 45 minutes of the Future’s game before switching to the Tigers.

If you happen to tune in, feel free to post any observations or comments here.

UDPATE: After watching my recording, Humberto Sanchez was – dare I say – filthy. He carved up Stephen Drew, Howie Kendrick, and Alex Gordon with an impressive mix of low 90’s heat and breaking pitches. He fanned Drew and Gordon and made it through the inning on 12 pitches – 9 of which were strikes.

Unfortunately my recording cut off before Maybin hit so I missed him with the bat, though he had a number of routine flyball opportunities early.

Tigers Minor League Wrap – July 8th

Toledo 7, Indianapolis 6
Josh Phelps picked up 3 hits including a double and homer, and is now hitting 314/373/540. Dustin Mohr also singled, doubled, and homered. Lance Davis lasted only 4 2/3 innings as he was touched for 7 hits and 4 runs (3 earned). After 2 1/3 scoreless innings from Mark Woodyard (1 H, 1BB, 3 K) Chris Spurling came in and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits.

Erie 3, Altoona 0
Nate Bumstead allowed 4 hits and 4 walks while striking out 6 in 7 shut out innings. Dmitri Young continued his rehab with a 1 for 2 night plus a walk. Brent Clevlen and Kody Kirkland were both 1 for 4.

Tampa 5, Lakeland 3
Clete Thomas was 2 for 5 with a double. Jeff Frazier’s slump continues with another 0 for 4 night and he’s now hitting 228/269/337. Eddie Bonine went 5 innings allowing 5 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits.

West Michigan 1, Cedar Rapids 0
Burke Badenhop allowed on 2 hits and 3 walks in 7 innings of work. Anthony Claggett pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief lowering his ERA to 0.46. He has a 40/13 K/BB mix in 39 1/3 innings. Michael Hollimon was 2 for 3 and Matt Joyce added two singles and a walk. Cameron Maybin had the night off.

Oneonta 9, Jamestown 6
Ron Bourquin was 1 for 3 and walked 3 times. He now has a 13/15 BB/K ratio in 60 at-bats and a .434 OBP. Deik Scram added 3 hits and 3 RBI. Chris Cody allowed 1 run on 5 hits and a walk over 4 innings. Derek Witt finished the remaining 5 innings and allowed 5 runs on 9 hits.

GCL Indianas 10, GCL Tigers
Alredo Figaro allowed only 1 hit in 4 innings. Guillermo Moscoso followed with 3 innings of one hit ball before giving way to Eric Beattie. Beattie is still looking for his first taste of success. He was the 2nd round selection in the 2004 draft, and has struggled to say the least. Last night he allowed 3 hits and 2 walks and only retired one batter.

Tigers Minor League Wrap – July 7th

Toledo 5, Indianapolis 1
Brian Peterson homered twice and Josh Phelps added a homer and a single. David Espinosa chipped in his 7th triple of the year. Chad Durbin started and went 7 2/3 innings. He allowed 7 hits, 1 unearned run and fanned 8 while walking none.

Altoona 5, Erie 4
Dmitri Young is working his way up the organization on his rehab stint. He started at first base and was 1 for3 with a walk. Brent Clevlen homered in 4 at-bats. Dpn Kelly continues to struggle and was 0 for 4 with 2 K’s and 2 errors. Jon Connolly started for Erie and allowed 9 hits in 5 2/3 innings for 4 runs ( 3 earned).

Tampa 14, Lakeland 8
Chris Robinson and Nic McIntyre both went 3 for 5. PJ Finigan was knocked around for 8 runs, 7 earned, in 3 2/3 innings.

Cedar Rapids 7, West Michigan 0
The Whitecpas managed all of 4 singles. The offense was supplied by Cameron Maybin, Pedro Cotto, Mike Hernandez, and Dusty Ryan. Erike Averill lasted 7 innings, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits while walking one and fanning 7. The majority of the damage came off of Loren Fraser in relief.

Oneonta 12, Tri-City 1 18 innings
The O-Tigers have to be a little bit sleepy this morning. Brennan Boesch was 4 for 7 with a walk and Ron Bourqin was 3 for 8. Matt O’Brien went the first 8 innings and allowed 1 run on 6 hits. He was followed by some impressive relief appearances by Chris Krawczyk, Casey Fien, Jose Fragoso, and Brett Jensen.

GCL Tigers – PPD Rain

Tigers Minor League Wrap – July 6th

Louisville 4, Toledo 3
Dustin Mohr was 3 for 4 and provided most of the Hens offense. Corey Hamman went 4 1/3 innings and allowed 3 runs on 9 hits. Bobby Seay pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief before Chris Spurling took the loss giving up one run in 1 2/3 innings.

Akron 2, Erie 0
Brent Clevlen was 1 for 3 with a walk and Kurt Airoso added 2 hits. The recently acquired Adam Haley had 2 hits as well. Preston Larrison worked 5 2/3 innings allowing only 2 runs before giving way to Eulogio De La Cruz who finished the game allowing 1 hit and 1 walk against 3 K’s.

Lakeland 10, Clearwater 4
Jeff Larish homered and walked. Dmitri Young was 0 for 2 before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the 5th inning. Jeremy Johnson allowed 3 runs in 4 innings.

West Michigan 3, Lansing 2
Wil Rhymes had 2 hits and Cameron Maybin was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and his 16th stolen base. Josh Rainwater went 6 1/3 innings and allowed only 2 hits and 1 walk while fanning 7.

Tri-City 10, Oneonta 7
Ron Bourquin was 2 for 5 with a double and Brennan Boesch doubled and tripled in 5 at-bats. Zach Piccola allowed only 3 hits in 5 innings. Tim Robertson took the loss in relieve allowing 6 runs – all unearned – in 1 1/3 innings. Randor Bierd went 1 2/3 innings allowing 2 hits and striking out 2.

GCL Tigers 4, GCL Braves 3 (10 innings) Gorkys Hernandez went 3 for 5 and Audy Ciriaco picked up 2 hits in 4 at-bats. Kyle Sleeth started but only last one inning. He allowed 3 runs on 4 hits. Paul Hammond made his 6th appearance and has yet to allow a run. He has 6 K’s and 1 walk in 6 1/3 innings.

Tigers Minor League Wrap – July 5th

Toledo 8, Louisville 0
Jordan Tata built on his Pitcher of the Week performance by throwing 7 shut out innings. He only allowed 3 hits and 2 walks and made it through on 93 pitches. Ryan Raburn was 2 for 2 with 2 doubles. Josh Phelps had a 3 for 3 night including his 12th homer. Chris Maples in his 2nd game for Toledo homered.

Louisville 4, Toledo 1
Ryan Raburn hit his 17th homer and David Espinosa had the Mud Hens other hit. Steve Green allowed 2 runs on 7 hits over 5 innings.

Erie 10, Akron 4 (in progress)
Brent Clevlen seems to be showing signs of life. Tonight he homered and walked twice. Don Kelly was 3 for 5 and Nook Logan was 2 for 5. Jair Jurrjens allowed 2 runs, 1 earned, in 5 innings of work.

Clearwater 4, Lakeland 3
Dmitri Young started at DH for Lakeland. He singled, doubled, and walked in 4 plate appearances before being lifted for a pinch runner. Dallas Trahern went 6 innings and allowed 8 hits and 4 runs (3 earned).

West Michigan 5, Lansing 1
Cameron Maybin was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 stolen bases. Dusty Ryan added two doubles. Justin Justice was 3 for 4 with a double and a homer. Sendy Vasquez threw 6 shut out innings and only 3 hits while walking 4 and fanning 7.

Oneonta 9, Tri-City 2
Scott Sizemore and Brennan Boesch were 2 for 5. Santos De Leon doubled and hit his 2nd homer. Thomas Thornton allowed one run on four hits in four innings. Derek Witt allowed only one walk in 3 innings while fanning 2.

GCL Tigers 2, GCL Phillies 0
Luis Arlet was 3 for 4 with 2 stolen bases and Chris Carlson hit his 3rd homer.

Tigers Minor League Wrap – Jully 4th

Toledo 10, Louisville 7
David Espinosa and Ryan Raburn both contributed a homer, a double, and a walk. Ryan Ludwick chipped in 2 homers and a triple. The newly promoted Chris Mazples added 3 hits and a walk. Colby Lewis started and allowed 5 runs in 5 innings. Mark Woodyard went 1 1/3 and allowed 2 runs before handing the ball to Lance Davis. Davis is on his 2nd tour with the Hens this season and has also pitched for Lakeland and Erie. Today he picked up the blown save and win.

Akron 2, Erie 1 (10 innings)
The Wolves only mustered 4 singles all day, so there aren’t any offensive stars. Don Kelly was sent to Erie after posting a 228/304/312 line in Toledo. Virgil Vasquez went 8 strong innings allowing only 1 run on 8 hits, no walks, and 5 K’s.

Clearwater 8, Lakeland 5
Clete Thomas was 2 for 4 and is now hitting .258. Andrew Kown allowed 10 hits and 4 walks, but they resulted in only 5 runs (4 earned).

West Michigan 5, Lansing 3
Cameron Maybin was 3 for 4 including his 3rd homer of the season. Lucas French allowed 3 runs on 9 hits, no walks, and 4 K’s. Orlando Perdomo pitched a scoreless 9th striking out one.

Vermont 5, Oneonta 3
Jeff Kunkel getting the start at DH doubled in 4 at-bats while catcher Jordan Newton was 1 for 2 with 3 walks. Jeff Gerbe allowed 5 runs in 5 innings. Casey Fien threw 3 scoreless innings allowing 3 hits.

GCL Tigers-DNP

Tigers Minor League Wrap – July 3rd

Toledo 4, Indianapolis 3
Don Kelly was 2 for 4 with a double and Josh Phelps homered. Humberto Sanchez started and went 7 innings. He allowed 2 runs on 6 hits with 1 walk and 4 strike outs. He made it through the 7 innings on 85 pitches, 59 for strikes. Bobby Seay pitched a scoreless inning and Chris Spurling picked up the save despite allowing 2 hits, a walk, and a run in one inning of work. In other news Jordan Tata was named International League player of the week.

Reading 9, Erie 6
Nook Logan and Tony Giarratanto each picked up 2 hits. Logan added 2 stolen bases as well. Brent Clevlen was 1 for 3 with a walk. Nate Bumstead was knocked around for 5 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits and 3 walks. He only lasted 4 2/3 innings. Ian Ostlund also struggled and allowed 4 runs in 2 2/3 innings.

Lakeland 6, Sarasota 0
Nick McIntyre and Chris Robinson both turned in 3 for 3, one walk performances. Gil Meija homered and walked twice. Jeff Larish added his 14th homer of the year. Eddie Bonine made his first start and pitched 4 scoreless, 2 hit innings. PJ Finigan followed with 2 scoreless to pick up the win.

Sarasota 1, Lakeland 0
Kevin Ardoin pitched 6 innings and allowed only 4 hits, but one of them was a solo homer. He walked none and struck out none. The L-Tigers only managed 3 hits of their own.

West Michigan 10, Lansing 8
Michael Hollimon homered twice and is now hitting 277/391/449. Wil Rhymes added a homer, a double, and a single in 6 at-bats. Cameron Maybin was 2 for 3 with 2 walks. Burke Badenhop was hit hard for 6 runs, 5 earned, on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Oneonta 8, Vermont 7
Scott Sizemore continues to rake and he added 2 more hits. In 13 games he’s hitting 375/397/536. Former University of Michigan catcher Jeff Kunkel picked up 3 hits. Chris Cody started and went 6 innings. He allowed one run on 6 hits, no walks, and 4 strike outs. Randor Bierd continues to struggle and was touched for 3 runs in 1 2/3 innings.

GCL Indians 1, GCL Tigers 0
Gorkys Hernandez doubled and singled in 4 at-bats. The 18 year old Hernandez is hitting 417/431/583 with 12 stolen bases and 1 caught stealing in 12 games. Christian Martinez went 6 innings and fanned 5 while walking none and limiting the hits to 4.

Tigers Minor League Wrap – June 30th

Toledo 7, Indianapolis 0
Jordan Tata was spectacular tonight. He threw 7 scoreless innings, fanning 11 and walking none. He did throw 119 pitches, 80 for strikes. Dustin Mohr was 2 for 4 and Maxim St. PIerre homered and walked. Ryan Ludwick also hit his 13th homer. Daivd Espinosa was 0 for 2 but walked 3 times and stole 2 bases.

Erie 5, Reading 3
Nook Logan was 3 for 5 with 2 stolen bases. Bobby Jones walked 3, struck out 3, allowed 3 runs on 6 hits in 6 innings.

Clearwater 2, Lakeland 1
Jeff Larish and Jeff Frazier each walked and singled in 4 plate appearances. Dallas Trahern pitched a complete game and allowed 2 runs on 5 hits with one walk and one strikeout.

West MIchigan 4, Wisconsin 1
Michael Hernandez homered and doubled. Michael Hollimon and Cameron Maybin both singled, walked and stole a base. Sendy Vasquez pitched 6 innings allowing the lone run while fanning 5 and walking 1.

Lowell 4, Oneonta 2
Scott Sizemore continues to rake as he picks up a single, and his first homer. Zach Piccola was touched for 4 runs in 3 2/3 innings.

GCL Phillies 3, GCL Tigers 2

Tigers Minor League Wrap – June 29th

Toledo 5, Charlotte 3
The top of the order produced for the Mud Hens with the first 5 hitters having multi-hit games. Kevin Hooper was 4 for 5 and Josh Phelps was 3 for 4 with a homer. Colby Lewis allowed 2 runs, 1 earned, on 7 hits, a walk, and 3 strikeouts over 6 innings. Chris Spurling allowed 1 run on 3 hits in 2 innings of relief.

Erie 13, Arkron 6
Erie staked Jair Jurrjens to a 7 run lead in the first inning, and they never looked back. Chris Maples, Jackson Melian, and Kelly Hunt (2) all homered while Kody Kirkland tripled. Brent Clevlen was 1 for 5 with 3 strikeouts. Jurrjens allowed 3 runs on 6 hits, one walk, and 5 K’s over 5 innings.

Clearwater 8, Lakeland 7 (11 innings)
Garth McKinney was 3 for 5 with a homer and Jeff Larish added a double, a single, and a walk. Andrew Kown started and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) in 5 2/3 innings. He scattered six hits, walked 3, and fanned 1. Kevin Whelan retired all 4 batter he faced, 2 via the strikeout.

West Michigan 4, Wisconsin 1
After allowing a first inning run, Lucas French kept Wisconsin off the board by scattering 9 hits, walking none, and fanning 4. French went 7 innings and then handed the ball over to Ricky Steik and Orlando Perdomo who both pitched scoreless innings. Cameon Maybin was 2 for 4 and Michael Hollimon was 2 for 3 with an intentional walk.

Oneonta 3, Lowell 1
Brennan Boesch hit his 2nd homer and Scott Sizemore added 2 hits. Thomas Thornton pitched 4 scoreless innings. Casey Fien allowed 1 run on 2 hits and a walk in 3 innings, but also fanned 5. Brett Jensen recorded his 4th save with a scoreless 9th.

GCL Tigers – OFF